Quick Facts

Universities work closely with local organizations to tackle issues such as violence, bullying and mental illness.

Thousands of university students, faculty, staff and graduates are improving their communities by starting local nonprofits, creating new businesses and carrying out innovative research and development that improves lives.

From free and anonymous medical services for at-risk groups to culturally sensitive mental health outreach and innovative campaigns that save lives, Ontario’s universities are leading some of the country’s most socially conscious programs.

By cultivating strong relationships with organizations that support children and youth, universities are helping to set up countless young people for healthy, prosperous and fulfilling lives.

Not only do universities inject billions of dollars into the cities of this province each year, they also transform communities in many other ways.

Related Questions

How much government funding do Ontario universities receive compared to universities in other parts of Canada?

Ontario universities educate more students for less than universities in any other province. Provincial grants to Ontario universities, on a per-student basis, are the lowest in the country. In fact, ...

What are the social benefits to getting a university education?

In a study of the social returns of higher education, the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) found that postsecondary graduates are more likely to volunteer, donate money and vote, and are less likely to require social assistance. University graduates are also more likely to ...

How does Ontario benefit from more entrepreneurial students?

Economists have said economic growth depends on the injection of new start-ups and business innovation in the economy. The U.S.-based Kauffman Foundation, which is devoted to entrepreneurship, recently concluded that any new job growth comes entirely from start-up firms. And the recent National ...

What are universities doing to reduce their environmental footprint?

Ontario university presidents have been driving forward on the greening of their campus since 2009 when they came together to sign a pledge for bold action on the environment. They didn’t just want to talk about environmental sustainability; they wanted measurable results and ...